First World War 1914-15 Trio and Memorial Plaque – Private William Colley, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
1914-15 Star – 19408 PTE. W. COLLEY. R.SC:FUS:
British War Medal – 19408 PTE. W. COLLEY. R.SC.FUS.
Victory Medal – 19408 PTE. W. COLLEY. R.SC.FUS.
Memorial Plaque – WILLIAM COLLEY
William George Colley was born in North Leith, Midlothian, with his birth recorded in 1887 in official casualty records, though family notes give a birth date of 13 January 1889. He was the son of James Colley, a warehouseman, and Rose Ann (Roseanne) Colley (née Mills), who were married at Greenock on 5 September 1884. Prior to enlistment, William lived at 7 Cadiz Street, Leith, and his name is recorded on the Leith Roll of Honour.
William enlisted at Leith and was posted to the Royal Scots Fusiliers, later serving with the 2nd Battalion. He proceeded overseas to the Western Front, arriving in France on 17 December 1915, and went on to serve continuously in France and Flanders for over two and a half years. During this period, the 2nd Battalion saw prolonged front-line service, operating as part of the 9th (Scottish) Division, and taking part in major campaigns including the Somme, Arras, Third Ypres, the retreat from St Quentin, and subsequent defensive and offensive operations in Flanders.
By the summer of 1918, the battalion was holding positions in the Kemmel–Meteren sector, north of the Scarpe. Contemporary regimental history records that this sector was particularly uncomfortable and dangerous, being overlooked by German positions at Meteren, and subject to constant pressure. In June 1918, efforts were made to improve the line, including an advance of approximately 400 yards carried out with the cooperation of South African and Australian units.
In July 1918, it was decided that Meteren itself should be captured. The date for the operation was fixed for 19 July 1918, with the assault force comprising the South African Composite Battalion and the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers. The attack was carefully rehearsed, and at 7.55 a.m. on 19 July, the troops advanced in artillery formation under a creeping barrage, rapidly overrunning the enemy’s front-line posts. The Germans were taken by surprise, having expected only a gas discharge, and the attack succeeded in securing Meteren and the surrounding ridge by the afternoon, with all objectives reached.
It was during this intense period of fighting that Private Colley was wounded. He died of wounds on 21 July 1918, two days after the assault, while still in active service, aged 31 according to official records (age variously noted as 29 in family notes). His death is also described in private notes as resulting from gas poisoning, consistent with the conditions and tactics used in the sector at that time.
Private Colley is buried at La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, grave III.A.6, where he is commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His headstone records him as “W. Colley”, and confirms his service with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, as well as his mother Roseanne Colley of Leith, Edinburgh.
He is remembered with honour as a Leith man who served from late 1915 until the final months of the war, dying of wounds sustained during one of the successful Allied advances of July 1918.
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AJMS Medals